Reconnecting Gearbox Mount To Base Battery Holder

[Guest russ b]

Of all the stupid things to do.......

dropped a battery chamber cap into the bowels of the tdi engine compartment. Couldn't see it so I thought I'd undo the nuts at the bottom of the battery casing to move it to one side and get a better view. disaster. Nuts connected to gearbox mount (i think) which was under tension and which now rests about half an inch lower than the length of the bolt.

How on earth can I lift the damped mount enough to be able to refit the bults. Any suggestions or shouild I get it towed to the local ford dealer?

[seatkid]

Oh dear. :o ..I know how you feel.... :rolleyes:

[Guest Turbo]

Remove the engine undertray and place a piece of wood under gearbox, then try carefully to jack up gearbox until in line or at least closer so as bolts may reach. That`s what I would try anyway. There must be a way ! Good luck.....

[Guest nimrod]

oops! :rolleyes: i would think that if you used a trolley jack mounted carefully under the gearbox and gently applied pressure it should raise it enough and back into position for you to get the bolts in place!

use a large block of wood to disperse the load across the gearbox so as not to crack the casting! in order to do this you will have to remove the engine undertray! which may be a bit awkward without jacking the car up and possibly causing stress to the other engine mounts or end up pulling a hose off!

good luck either way!

[seatkid]

It sounds like the rear engine mount which also carries the gearbox (is it as below?). Think you'll have to fix it on the spot as towing it might damage gearbox/driveshafts etc etc.

 

You could try using longer bolt(s) to catch the mount and pull it up.

[Guest russ b]

Those are the bolts in the diagram. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Any others would be welcome, particularly from anyone else who has done this.

[seatkid]

Get 2 fully threaded bolts 2 or more inches longer than the originals, screw a nut down to the head end and put a large washer on. Put the two bolts in 2 diagonally opposite holes and screw into the mount. Then use the nuts to pull the mount up, refit the original bolts in the other two holes........

[seatkid]

After giving this some more thought, I should also stress

 

Do not attempt to jack up the car or try to remove the undershield without somehow securing or supporting the rh end of the engine/gearbox. Don't move the car or start the engine either!

 

At the moment the engine/gearbox is hanging on on one mount and probably being supported by a combination of exhaust, intercooler pipes,driveshaft and possibly the undertray itself. Jacking up the car could be an expensive disaster. :rolleyes:

 

It is very dangerous to work under the car in its present condition.

 

It could be some damage has already been done. When you retrieve the situation it would be wise to carry out a thorough examination underneath and around the engine/gearbox.

[Guest russ b]

Thanks everyone for your advise and opinion. The overlength bolts, though fiddly, appear to have done the trick. The car was not moved, started or compromised in any other way than the original faux pas.

 

Thanks again all.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

(breathes sign of relief) thank goodness you have managed to get it all back together.

[seatkid]

Yeah! and don't do it again!...you scared us half to death..(thinking he didnt go under the car did he? ;) ). and did you find that battery cap? ;)

 

What is about caps, bolts, nuts etc. that always leap into the most inaccesible parts of the engine bay?

[Guest Turbo]

You know, when I fitted the pollen filter I had to remove the wiper arms. One of the plastic sealing washers fitted under the wiper fell under the battery tray........I don`t think I`ll bother looking for it - I might loose my gearbox too. I`ll ring the dealers for a new one.